Tips for Storing Pet Food

It’s frustrating to research pet foods, find the best one for your pet, purchase it and bring it home, and then find that it goes bad far too soon. Not only is this a waste of your money but it can also threaten your pet’s health. Unfortunately, even the best food, if stored incorrectly, can go rancid, develop bacteria or mold, or become infested with insects or rodents. Thankfully, storing the food isn’t difficult once you know how.

Dry Dog Food Storage

Kibble is easy to store and feed, but like all types of pet food, it is perishable.

Bags of dry dog food are imprinted with a “best by” date to let you know how long you can keep it. However, many dog owners do not realize that this date becomes inaccurate once the bag is opened. As a rule of thumb, Dr. Nelson recommends that pet parents use the dog food only one month after opening if it has been properly stored.

Once you open a bag of dog food, its freshness is exposed to the elements. The three factors that affect the nutritional value and quality of a dog food once it has been opened are air, moisture and high temperatures. To help combat these forces, here are some tips for dry dog food storage.

Seal Your Bag

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and dog food companies recommend that you seal your dog food, because it minimizes its exposure to air, which can contaminate your dog food with bacteria.

To seal your dog food bag, you can roll down the sides and use a bag clip, like this cute bone-shaped dog clip by ORE Pet, to close up the bag. For extra protection, Dr. Nelson recommends airtight containers.

Airtight pet-food-container

“Dry dog food is extruded, and then sprayed with oils that start to break down and go rancid once the food is exposed to air,” Dr. Nelson says. “So, kibble needs to be kept in an airtight container.”

When it comes to the type of dog food containers you should use, Dr. Nelson says “Plastic or stainless steel containers are fine for storing kibble as long as they are airtight.”

I prefer stainless steel because it is easier to clean and lasts longer.”

One stainless steel dog food container option is the Harry Barker Classic Dog Food Storage Canister. It features an airtight food-seal vacuum locking lid designed to ensure freshness and is made of steel for easy cleaning.

Keeping Your Dog Food Container Clean

Many dog owners simply top off the dog food storage container with a new bag of dog food as it starts to run low, but Dr. Nelson says this is a bad idea.

Wet Dog Food Storage

Canned dog food can last months, even years, if it is not opened. Discard cans that have a deep dent, air bubbles or swelling; all of which are signs that the can’s seal has been compromised and bacteria is growing inside.

Once opened, you have 24 hours to store the food if your dog does not finish it in one meal.

Tips for Freezing Dog Food

When you have more food than your pet can eat before it goes bad, you can always utilize your freezer. Kibble can be frozen to help keep it from going bad. You can also transfer leftover canned food into a freezer-safe baggie or container before freezing.

Frozen food is best thawed in the refrigerator and served within six to nine months, though it can last even longer. Learn more about how to select the pet-food-container on the Plastic Pet Food Container Manufacturer here: https://www.pet-food-container.com/product/pet-food-container/